OBITUARY: U.S. Air Force Pilot and Vietnam Veteran Richard E. Novak, 88, Passed Away April 10

military burial with honors will be held at CAPE CANAVERAL NATIONAL CEMETERY

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Richard E. Novak, age 88, passed away on Monday, April 10, 2023, at Badger Prairie Healthcare Center in Verona, Wis. Richard was born on Dec. 29, 1934, to John and Mabel (Kern) Novak in Wheaton, Ill.

After high school, Richard joined the U.S. Air Force, serving as an Air Force pilot for 20 years and retiring in 1974, having achieved the rank of Major. Richard’s experiences in the Air Force played important roles in his life.

While stationed in Florida attending Officer’s Candidate School, Richard met Rebecca Wanell “Winnie” Peacock, whom he married on Dec. 18, 1955.

They spent the next 19 years moving to Air Force bases in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Florida, Panama, North Dakota, California and Michigan.

Richard served in Vietnam from 1969-1970 flying cover for helicopters rescuing downed pilots. For this, Richard earned the Silver Star for Valor in Action.

After retiring from the Air Force, Richard and Winnie settled in McFarland, Wis., where Richard spent the next 20 years as a supervisor at Rath Manufacturing in Janesville, Wis., retiring in 1993.

Following his retirement from Rath Manufacturing, Richard and Winnie moved to the Huntsville, Ala., area, where they remained until 2020, when they moved back to Wisconsin and settled in the Madison area once again.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Winnie; two sons, Richard E. (Sylvia) Novak Jr. of Verona, Wis., Kenneth E. (Kelly) Novak of Titusville, Fla.; daughter, Kathryn A. (Kevin) Foreyt of Fitchburg, Wis.; grandchildren, Matthew (Breanna) Novak, Kristin Foreyt, James (Rachel) Novak, Ian Novak, Nicole Foreyt, Kathleen Lily Novak and Megan Novak; great-grandchildren, Peter Novak, Lucille Novak, Sydney Novak and Elaina Novak; sister-in-law, Mellie Jo (Peacock) Turner; brother-in-law, Brian (DeDe) Peacock; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mabel Novak; niece, Kathryn (Koz) Johnson; nephew, Steven Koz; sister and brother-in-law, Doris (Novak) and Thomas Koz; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bobby and Wanda (Peacock) Hudson; and brothers-in-law, Laurence Turner and Billy Peacock.

A funeral service will be held at NORTH BREVARD FUNERAL HOME, 1450 Norwood Ave., Titusville, Fla., at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, April 24, 2023. A military burial with honors will be held at CAPE CANAVERAL NATIONAL CEMETERY, 5525 US 1, Mims, Fla., at 1 p.m. on Monday.

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